MLM Training – The 29 Characteristics of an MLM Leader

MLM Training – The 29 Characteristics of an MLM Leader

1. A network marketing leader doesn’t wait until he/she gets a large group before becoming a leader. It can’t work that way, because you would never get the large group if you’re waiting to be leader first! Nor does the leader wait until they feel they possess the knowledge to lead – rarely they do. My observation is that leaders select themselves by taking on responsibility (the total reason something happens or doesn’t happen), rather than just the desire to lead. Want to be a leader? Go grab enough responsibility that it makes you feel like quitting every day…then don’t quit – congratulations, that’s LEADERSHIP. From that basis there are many other attributes you can develop.

2. At events, the leader arrives early and reserves chairs for their entire group on the front row. Yes, there are normally only two front rows (left and right)…If you’re on the 2nd or 3rd row – you’re still considered a leader. I spent five years getting up earlier than anyone else to make sure that my group had the front row. What I’ve found is that there are very rarely more than two leaders in any room. Please understand what I mean by this. Once a person gets to a certain level of success they will stop doing these simple leadership things because of ego. They suddenly become “too knowledgeable” to sit and listen to a speaker that has less time in the MLM business than them. If you remain humble and hungry the world is yours. So is the front row, by the way.

3. A true leader realizes that there is a difference between being a leader and being a leader of people. More on this later.

4. Network marketing “works” under many conditions, but when those relationships between you and your organization become tight and a “esprit de corps” is created, there’s nothing like it. I do mean nothing.

5. Appearance is impeccable. Even in jeans.

6. A leader “appears” organized, much like ducks cruising smoothly across the water, however, no one sees or knows how radical and out of control their feet are peddling.

7. Leaders of people treat their people with respect. Respect means you have a good opinion of their character or ideas. Simply put, you are interested in your people – their ideas, their complaints, their fears, their successes – THEM!

8. As a leader you develop or find five “Top Producers.” Devote yourself to them. Find three qualities that you like about each person. Write those in your day planner. Review them frequently, thinking of how you can help bolster one of those attributes. Bolstering an attribute can be many things – from a good verbal acknowledgement, to giving a telephone headset to someone as a gift who is working hard at making calls, to being their friend when they have a personal crisis.

9. New leaders are let down often by those they devote themselves to. Why? Because you selected the wrong person to devote yourself to. You only get good at character choosing with experience. Track record is really the only place to look first. What has the person been doing with their time… and what does the person do with his or her time? People are what they spend their time doing. Most great leaders begin in a hole and are mad about being there. Of highest concern is whether or not the person has been advancing. If they’re not, it might take a lot of work on your part. Perhaps more than you have. Every person who’s ever had the tough decision of choosing between lose two or lose one knows that this is one of the toughest decisions in life. Albeit controversial, do not sink yourself if doing so won’t save your mate. Cut away when you feel you’re being pulled under. If you help “able” people, they will help more people. If you try to help an unable person they may sink you on their way down.

10. The network marketing leader gets the product or service “specialist” in front of their group – whether it’s in person, on a conference call or on an audio or video. Example: Your company carries a nutrition line created by Dr. Whoever. He specializes in human nutrition and created an ingredient that is in your products that is truly unique. The leader will somehow get that doctor on a conference call with his or her group to raise their belief in the products.

11. A network marketing leader always gives “back” more. Example: Let’s say that there’s a foul-up in processing distributor agreements in your downline. You get the distributors on the phone with a customer service rep that handles the situation. You know that that customer service rep really worked hard to help the situation. Yes, it’s their job… BUT, the leader will send that customer service rep a bag of M